331: Chapter 18, Unlucky Guy_1 331: Chapter 18, Unlucky Guy_1 The news of deploying troops to aid the Moxi Duchy spread, causing an uproar among the provinces involved.
From the overall situation, everyone supports the use of troops.
However, when the task of deploying troops falls on them, it’s a different story.
Nobles are pragmatic.
They must weigh risks and rewards before taking action.
This task is clearly high-risk, low-reward.
Performing a cross-national operation in unfamiliar territory is a challenge for both aristocratic military officers and the rank-and-file soldiers.
In case of an accident requiring aid coordination, they will have to deal with the Moxi Duchy.
The fact that reinforcements did not arrive in time at the essential strategic location, the Augustusburg defense line, shows the standard of the Moxi Duchy’s internal coordination and mobilization capacity.
When an unexpected accident occurs on the battlefield, it is highly unlikely that an ally will help.
It is evident how risky it is to rely solely on one’s own forces.
For a high risk, there isn’t high reward.
Fighting for someone else brings up the thorny issue of attributing military merit.
While it might sound good now, the same rules for calculating military merits apply as at home.
If they achieve something significant, it will likely be downplayed when assessed.
The only equivalence is the military achievement gained from killing the enemy.
The strategic significance and value enhancement brought up by the campaign are basically negligible.
In the assessment of military merits, these strategic values hold significant weight.
One strategic victory is worth more than killing countless enemies.
Despite the numerous disadvantages, there are benefits.
As a guest army, they do not need to live or die with the Moxi Duchy.
If victory seems impossible, they can strategically retreat.
The prerequisite is: they must be able to escape.
This doesn’t only test the ability to respond.
It also depends on who the enemy is.
Escaping from the Hawkman Court’s army is very difficult at the very least.
When no one wants to handle a task, it means trouble has arrived.
When the Kingdom assigned the task, Earl Piers encountered this problem.
Despite his best efforts to persuade, no one volunteered.
Forcing tasks on others was not acceptable.
The ones present are powerful, and if any soft target were present, it would be Viscount West.
The softest target has the backing of a Grand Duke.
They are all important officials of the Kingdom, and one cannot cross the line even when not giving face.
Most importantly, Viscount West has no one under his command.
Besides his few hundred elites and a group of serf soldiers, he can’t command any nobles in the province.
If the task is forced onto him, it would not be carried out in the end.
Sending a makeshift army to cope would not be acceptable to the Kingdom.
They are only called to mobilize the military power of a single province, not the entirety of the Southeastern Province.
They cannot justify failing to fulfill this task.
Of course, if the entire Southeastern Province were entirely responsible, Earl Piers would be the first to complain.
When it involves personal interests, one cannot afford to not be pragmatic.
Such a rescue mission is not a mandatory obligation for a noble lord, so it’s normal to stir up emotions.
Glancing at the gathering, Governor Piers, with a gloomy face, said to everyone: “Since none of you are willing to volunteer, let’s leave this to the Lord of the Dawn.
Guards, prepare fifteen wooden sticks, and carve a mark on one of them.”
It’s understandable to be in a foul mood.
There are a total of fifteen Prefectural Governors present, and quite a few belong to the Dalton Family.
They decide by lottery, and this unfortunate task is not unlikely to fall on themselves.
However, if it’s not fair, whoever is forced to take it will strongly oppose it.
You can’t possibly force someone onto the battlefield, can you?
Once such a violation of the game’s rules occurs, there will certainly be a strong backlash from the smaller nobles within the province.
No one wants to be the next unlucky one.
If the smaller nobles in the province start causing trouble, not to mention not executing the task, this could trigger civil strife.
If a governor reaches that extent, they better resign as soon as possible; staying would only bring disaster to the country and the people.
The inclusion of a lottery makes the situation different.
Everyone’s chances are equal, and if they end up selected with a one in fifteen chance, they are meant to be unlucky.
The guards were efficient and quickly brought in a bamboo tube containing fifteen wooden sticks.
Seeing this scene, Hudson couldn’t help but doubt that this was something Governor Piers had prepared beforehand.
Such a method is something he often plays.
The only difference is that Hudson can operate behind the scenes, but that’s with the easy-to-manipulate small nobles in the province.
Facing these people at the table, every single one of them is not to be trifled with.
Even if it’s a lottery, no one will readily believe that Governor Piers is fair and just.
“Here are fifteen wooden sticks.
The fifteen Prefectural Governors will each draw a stick on behalf of their province.
Whoever draws the marked stick will lead their province’s army to participate in this rescue mission.
For specific details, we’ll continue to discuss after the province responsible for deploying the troops is determined.
To avoid suspicion, members of the Dalton family will draw last after everyone else is done.
The sticks are here.
After drawing, anyone who doubts can check in the presence of everyone.
Now, the Prefectural Governors, please come forward to draw.”
After listening to Governor Piers, Hudson realized he had been sidelined.
The repeated emphasis on “Prefectural Governor” wasn’t it a signal telling him not to participate?
All representatives were present, but he was the only one excluded from the draw.
This was blatant discrimination!